A file photo of a red-light camera in Newark. The Star-Ledger | TONY KURDZUK

EDISON – A state lawmaker wants to put the brakes on Edison's red-light cameras because, he says, the town won't hand over information about the $85 traffic tickets it's giving out.

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, a Republican of Monmouth County, said in a news release that Edison has ignored his request for information about its program. Larger cities and towns, including Newark, promptly gave the information, O'Scanlon said. If Edison doesn't respond soon, O'Scanlon wants the state to take away the town's red light cameras.

"We already know Edison’s top priority is revenue rather than safety, justice or transparency," O'Scanlon said. "They should not additionally be permitted to ignore the public’s right for information. One must ask, are they hiding something, or is this just incompetence or government arrogance?"

The cameras snap pictures of motorists who allegedly blow through red lights at intersections or don't quite catch the yellow light in time. The cameras also snap pictures of so-called "California rolls", when a car turning right on red is still moving ever-so-slightly before it continues on.

In 2012, three quarters of the traffic fine money collected by Edison – $1.2 million – came from red light violations caught on camera.

The mayor's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but William Stephens, a top official in Mayor Antonia Ricigliano's office, has defended the red light program. He said that police officers pore over every ticket that the red light cameras catch, and throw out many marginal cases, so it's not just a computer sending out fines.

O'Scanlon sent a letter to Department of Transportation Commissioner James Simpson Wednesday, requesting that Edison's red-light privileges be revoked if it still hasn't handed over the information he's asking for in a week. O'Scanlon said he made his original request on May 20, and that the town asked for a two-week extension on May 30, but he hasn't heard from them since.